Chain extender

Chain extenders, also known as chain extenders, are chemical substances that can react with functional groups on linear polymer chains to expand molecular chains and increase molecular weight. The following is a detailed introduction about chain extenders:

1. Definition and Principle

• definition：Chain extender is a chemical additive that mainly functions to increase the molecular weight of polymer materials and improve their properties.

• principle：Chain extenders react with functional groups on polymer chains through their molecules, achieving the extension of molecular chains and an increase in molecular weight. Common chain extenders include low molecular weight multifunctional alcohols or amine compounds containing hydroxyl or amino groups.

2. Classification

• Amine chain extender：Including MOCA (3,3 '- dichloro-4,4' - diphenylmethane diamine), ethylenediamine (DA), N, N-dihydroxy (diisopropyl) aniline (HPA), etc. MOCA chain extender is a professional high-performance chain extender that was first put into industrial production in China and is widely used in fields such as polyurethane elastomers.

• Alcohol chain extender：There are mainly 1,4-butanediol (BDO), 1,6-trimethyl glycol, glycerol, trimethylolpropane, diethylene glycol (DEG), triethylene glycol, etc. Alcoholic chain extenders are the mainstream products in the chain extender market, and are widely used in polyurethane elastomer, foam materials, coatings and other fields.

3. Function and Application

• effect：Chain extenders play a critical role in the synthesis process of polymer materials, which can improve the mechanical and process properties of materials, such as enhancing their toughness, elasticity, tear resistance, temperature resistance, oil resistance, weather resistance, and corrosion resistance.

• application：Chain extenders are widely used in the preparation process of polymer materials such as polyurethane and polyester. In the production of polyurethane materials, chain extenders are indispensable additives, which are of great significance for improving the performance and quality of polyurethane materials.

4. Market situation

• market demand：With the development of the polymer materials industry, especially the increasing demand for polyurethane materials, the market demand for chain extenders is also constantly increasing. As an important chemical additive, the market demand for chain extenders is closely related to the development of the polymer materials industry.

• Main producers：The main manufacturers of global chain extenders include American Air Chemicals and American ChemChina. In China, the main participants in the chain extender market include Donghua Engineering Technology Co., Ltd., Zhuzhou Feilu High tech Materials Technology Co., Ltd., Suzhou Xiangyuan New Materials Co., Ltd., etc. Xiangyuan New Materials is a leading enterprise in China's polyurethane chain extender industry, and its product quality has reached a global leading level.

5. Development Trends

• With the development and technological advancement of the polymer materials industry, the research and application of chain extenders are also constantly deepening. In the future, chain extenders will develop towards greater efficiency, environmental friendliness, and functionality to meet the demands of different fields for polymer material properties.

6. Precautions for use

• When using chain extenders, it is important to pay attention to their usage and dosage to avoid excessive use that can lead to a decrease in product performance. At the same time, attention should be paid to its storage conditions, avoiding direct sunlight and high temperature environments. During use, personal safety precautions should also be taken to avoid direct contact with skin and eyes.